If you’re craving a sweet treat that combines the cozy warmth of cinnamon with the fun crackled look of crinkle cookies, let me introduce you to the Churro Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe. These cookies are perfect when you want a little weekend baking project that fills your kitchen with toasty, fragrant scents and delivers irresistibly soft centers wrapped in a crisp cinnamon-sugar shell. Whether you’re baking for a casual afternoon pick-me-up or a special gathering, you’ll notice how these cookies bring a charming twist to classic cinnamon flavors.
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Why You’ll Love This
These churro-inspired cookies marry the deep cocoa richness with that signature cinnamon sugar coating, creating a flavor and texture combo that’s just plain cozy and memorable.
- Reliable Texture, Great Flavor: The dough stays soft and tender inside, with just enough sweetness balanced by cocoa and cinnamon warmth.
- Crisp–Golden Finish: Rolling the dough in cinnamon sugar before baking gives each cookie a delicate, crackly shell that’s positively addictive.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand—flour, cocoa, sugar, eggs, and cinnamon—so no last-minute grocery runs.
- Weeknight Easy, Weekend Worthy: With straightforward steps and a quick chill, you can whip these up even on a busy day but feel proud serving them at your next brunch or bake sale.
Ingredient Snapshot
Choosing the best quality ingredients really pays off here. Since these cookies have just a handful of components, each one impacts the final taste and crumb. For example, fresh cinnamon and good cocoa powder make a huge difference.
- All-purpose flour: Use unbleached for a clean, neutral base that keeps cookies tender.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Go for natural cocoa powder; it provides brighter chocolate flavor ideal for pairing with cinnamon.
- Granulated sugar: Use regular white sugar for crisp coating and structure in the dough.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and depth with its molasses notes; packed lightly.
- Ground cinnamon: Freshly ground packs more punch than pre-mixed cinnamon sugar from the store.
- Vanilla extract: A splash brightens the dough and complements the spice beautifully.
Quick Note: Exact measurements and baking details are found in the printable recipe card at the bottom, so keep reading for all the steps.
How to Make Churro Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
Step 1 — Set Up & Season
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper — this little step makes cleanup a breeze and keeps the bottoms from scorching. Then, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the cocoa is evenly distributed and the leavening activates uniformly, setting you up for perfect texture. I always take a moment here to check my cocoa powder for any lumps—no one wants surprise clumps when rolling dough.
Step 2 — Sear, Toast, or Mix
Next, grab a large bowl and beat your sugars and eggs together until light and fluffy—it’ll take about 2 to 3 minutes with an electric mixer. This aerates the batter and helps create that delicate crumb. Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually fold your dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be gentle here—overmixing can lead to tougher cookies. When the dough just comes together, stop. One personal tip: if the dough feels sticky or soft, pop it in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This makes rolling a much easier and less messy experience.
Step 3 — Finish for Best Texture
Once chilled, roll the dough into balls about one inch in diameter. In a small bowl, mix granulated sugar with plenty of ground cinnamon to make your signature churro coating. Roll each ball generously in this cinnamon sugar, making sure every side is covered—this is where that fantastic crackling comes from. Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges have set but the centers look just slightly underbaked—you want them soft, not dry. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack; this helps them firm up without ending crispness.
Smart Little Tips
From chilling dough to knowing when the cookies are just right, these notes will take your batch to the next level, ensuring those churro crinkle cookies come out perfect every time.
- Doneness Cue: Look for cracks on the cookie tops and slightly soft centers when taken out of the oven—this means they’ll finish perfectly as they cool.
- Temperature Trick: If your kitchen is warm, keep the dough chilled between baking batches to maintain shape and prevent spreading.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can make the dough up to 24 hours in advance and keep it refrigerated—just let it sit at room temperature 10 minutes before rolling.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don’t skip the cinnamon sugar coating step; it’s key to the cookies’ signature flavor and texture.
Serving Ideas
Finishing Touches
For a final flourish, dust your Churro Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe lightly again with cinnamon sugar just as they come out of the oven to enhance the sweetness and spice. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, a quick drizzle of melted white chocolate or a sprinkle of sea salt can create an irresistible contrast.
Pair It With
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of coffee, a chai latte, or even a cold glass of milk. The cinnamon and chocolate notes complement drinks with warm spices or creamy sweetness, giving you that perfect cozy combination every time.
Easy Plating Upgrades
For casual occasions, serve a stack on a rustic plate with a small bowl of cinnamon sugar for dipping. For a party, arrange the cookies around a bowl of whipped cream or chocolate ganache for dunking—you’ll be hearing compliments all night.
Make-Ahead, Store & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Store your churro cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They hold onto their soft, chewy centers well but the crispy cinnamon sugar coating is best enjoyed fresh within the first couple of days.
Freezing Tips
The dough freezes beautifully! Shape and coat the dough balls, place them on a tray to freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the bake time. Baked cookies can also be frozen; thaw at room temperature for best texture.
Reheating Churro Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe Without Drying Out
To reheat without drying, wrap cookies loosely in foil and warm in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Alternatively, microwave single cookies covered with a damp paper towel for 10 seconds to soften. An air fryer at low heat can crisp the cinnamon sugar without hardening the inside—just keep a close eye so they don’t burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but be aware that Dutch-process cocoa is less acidic and darker, which might alter the color and slightly mellow the sharpness of the chocolate flavor.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature, layering with parchment paper. To maintain crispness, avoid storing with softer baked items.
You can replace eggs with a flaxseed or chia egg substitute and use dairy-free sugar alternatives, but expect some differences in texture and rise.
Chilling solidifies the dough fats and helps prevent excessive spreading, ensuring the cookies develop that perfect crinkle and maintain their shape.
Final Thoughts
Making the Churro Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe is such a joyful experience—not just because of the delicious outcomes but the process itself. From the moment the cinnamon sugar hits the warm dough to when you bite into the soft, chocolate-spiced center, it’s like wrapping yourself in a cozy, sweet hug. Once you try this recipe, I’m sure it’ll become one of your go-to cookies whenever you want something both comforting and delightfully special.
PrintPrint Recipe
Churro Crinkle Cookies with Cinnamon Sugar Recipe
These Churro Crinkle Cookies combine rich cocoa with a sweet cinnamon sugar coating, delivering a soft, fudgy texture and irresistible churro-inspired flavor perfect for any dessert craving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 57 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating
- ½ cup cinnamon sugar (made by mixing granulated sugar and ground cinnamon)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs together until the mixture is light and fluffy, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Incorporate dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to form the dough.
- Chill the dough: Cover the cookie dough and place it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling.
- Prepare the coating: Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl to create the cinnamon sugar coating.
- Shape and coat cookies: Roll the chilled dough into balls, then generously coat each ball in the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake the cookies: Place the coated cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart, and bake for 12 minutes until set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough fully to prevent spreading during baking.
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to avoid sticking.
- Adjust cinnamon sugar ratio to your preference for more or less spice.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Optional: Add a pinch of espresso powder to enhance chocolate flavor.
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